# Exploring Sound vs Vibration for Robust Fault Detection on Rotating Machinery

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2312.10742 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2312.10742/

## Key facts

- No citing papers in the map yet (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 18 of its 58 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 17 Dec 2023.

## Builds on (most cited first, 18 of 18)

- [Self-Organized Operational Neural Networks with Generative Neurons](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2004.11778/) (2020)
- [Operational Neural Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1902.11106/) (2019)
- [Self-Organized Operational Neural Networks for Severe Image Restoration Problems](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2008.12894/) (2020)
- [FastONN -- Python based open-source GPU implementation for Operational Neural Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2006.02267/) (2020)
- [Exploiting Heterogeneity in Operational Neural Networks by Synaptic Plasticity](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2009.08934/) (2020)
- [Real-Time Patient-Specific ECG Classification by 1D Self-Operational Neural Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2110.02215/) (2021)
- [Real-Time Glaucoma Detection from Digital Fundus Images using Self-ONNs](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2109.13604/) (2021)
- [Robust Peak Detection for Holter ECGs by Self-Organized Operational Neural Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2110.02381/) (2021)
- [Progressive Operational Perceptron with Memory](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1808.06377/) (2018)
- [Blind ECG Restoration by Operational Cycle-GANs](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2202.00589/) (2022)
- [Global ECG Classification by Self-Operational Neural Networks with Feature Injection](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2204.03768/) (2022)
- [Operational vs Convolutional Neural Networks for Image Denoising](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2009.00612/) (2020)
- [BM3D vs 2-Layer ONN](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2103.03060/) (2021)
- [Super Neurons](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2109.01594/) (2021)
- [Speech Command Recognition in Computationally Constrained Environments with a Quadratic Self-organized Operational Layer](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2011.11436/) (2020)
- [Zero-Shot Motor Health Monitoring by Blind Domain Transition](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2212.06154/) (2022)
- [Blind Restoration of Real-World Audio by 1D Operational GANs](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2212.14618/) (2022)
- [Sound-to-Vibration Transformation for Sensorless Motor Health Monitoring](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2305.07960/) (2023)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Robust and real-time detection of faults on rotating machinery has become an ultimate objective for predictive maintenance in various industries. Vibration-based Deep Learning (DL) methodologies have become the de facto standard for bearing fault detection as they can produce state-of-the-art detection performances under certain conditions. Despite such particular focus on the vibration signal, the utilization of sound, on the other hand, has been neglected whilst only a few studies have been proposed during the last two decades, all of which were based on a conventional ML approach. One major reason is the lack of a benchmark dataset providing a large volume of both vibration and sound data over several working conditions for different machines and sensor locations. In this study, we address this need by presenting the new benchmark Qatar University Dual-Machine Bearing Fault Benchmark dataset (QU-DMBF), which encapsulates sound and vibration data from two different motors operating under 1080 working conditions overall. Then we draw the focus on the major limitations and drawbacks of vibration-based fault detection due to numerous installation and operational conditions. Finally, we propose the first DL approach for sound-based fault detection and perform comparative evaluations between the sound and vibration over the QU-DMBF dataset. A wide range of experimental results shows that the sound-based fault detection method is significantly more robust than its vibration-based counterpart, as it is entirely independent of the sensor location, cost-effective (requiring no sensor and sensor maintenance), and can achieve the same level of the best detection performance by its vibration-based counterpart. With this study, the QU-DMBF dataset, the optimized source codes in PyTorch, and comparative evaluations are now publicly shared.